L •HE LEPROSY OF SIN. BY PASTO1( RUSWSELL. Text: "WVere tlhre not ten eleansed, but where are the nine? Only one hath r turned to give glory to God" (Luke xrii 17, 18). Lenrocv hal long been regardcd u in curable, and may. pherefore be used as an illustration of min, whic?h i aldo incur curable. As only the 1fa:oer's word could heal the lepers, so mothing abor; of a D.vine remedy an cure min. In oldWn times leper. were re suired to separate themselvs tr?m otlers, and when LTAsTOK IJ approache to cry, "Unoieau!" So an orse by Divine decree are .ijolted from the pure, the holy Humanity corn;tioutes but a small pro portion of God's great family, amongst .vlom are angels; clheruhim, seraphim, &amp;c. who always have felloisdhip with God' and .'ith each other. lut whlile the Soriptare declare that mankind are sinners by here dity, yet all do not appreciate their ondsh tion, nor cry aloud, Undcean! There are various degrees of uncleanness. Our Lord illustrates this fact in the Parable...

VIOLET TOWN BSHlRE' COUNCIL. Present:-Crs Forshaw (president), M'Shane, Mitchell, Wilson, Black, Buckland, Gordon and Roach. CORRESPONDENCE, Department of Public Works stated that the Governor-in-Conncil had ap. proved of the allocation of the following sums for expenditure by the council of the Shire of Violet Town:-Towards roads damaged by timber traffic (re vo'e). £59 10s 10d; towards erection of bridge at Nalloga, £800, joint work with Shepparton shire, councils to ex pend £600 additional ; towards Harry's creek road, £150, conocil to expend £150 additionel; towards repairs of flood damages (re-vote), £85, council to expend £85 additional.-Received. Shire of Shepparton stated it would share the estimated cost of clearing logs from the bed of the Broken River above Nalinga bridge, £20.--Reoeived. Same stated that as Violet Town Council was carryiog out the work of construction of the bridge it would be better for it to arrange with Mrs Martin for the land required at the price as...

THE RECENT EPIDEIICS OF SMALLPOX AND DIPHTHERIA Would certainly not have attained such proportions if the hygienic fact were more generally known that the disinfection of the mouth by a reliable and harmless antiseptic is a great pro tecting factor againsts all ailments where the infection is through the throat or respiratory tract. By putting 3 drops of SANDER'S EUCALPT EXTRACT, on a piece of loaf-sugar and allowing it to dissolve in the mouth that cavity is thoroughly dis infected, The volatile nature of SANDER'S EXTRACT makes it penetrate every crevice. SANDER'S EXTRACT is not nauseous nor de pressing like the common eccalyptus and possesses great antiseptic power. By using SANDER'S EXTRACT, you avoid the uncertain composition of the lozenge ;you have the benefit of the strongest antiseptic that can be used with safety, and the rosult is protection from all infection. FODDER SEED. - Hawthorne Bros' Kerang, have highest grade, sweet, solid Ambercane and Japanese Millet seed for sa...

R , L SE8 i ti USE THEY DECLARE IT TO BE THE ONE MEDICINE THAT GIVES NEW VITALITY AND LIFE. 9 Dudley Street, Perth. 24 512. CLEMENTS TONIC LTD. "As a nurse I have seen Clements Tonic do so much good amongst my patients, it is my duty to state these facts. I have prescribed it often and in every case it soothes the patient, it gives refreshing sleep, creates a desire for food, and IT HELPS THE FOOD TO DIGEST. The patients become bright and cheerful after its use. As a health restorer I say Clements Tonic HAS NO EQUAL. (Signed) NURSE LINNDEBERG." The Rev. J. HOSKING. D.D., Minis terof the Congregational Mission Church, Fitzroy, Melbourne, writes : "I suffered from Nervous Prostra tion, Insomnia, and Nervous Head aches. One bottle of CLESMENTS TONIC put me right, and was worth its weight in gold." Tliheare letters that every man and woman sh ld read and act upon. This remedyisthe "s'a-d rd Auctraiian blood and nere elne rs"-.r, and do unhecalthy man or woman should . e ;" thous it. It ...

*OUR.. L&amp;TEST' CONFLAGRA. TION. WEIDENBACH'S ",BIG CASH STORE." COMPLETELY BURNT OUT. FLAMES THAT LIT UP THE TOWN. THE DAMAGE AT A MILLER AND CO'S. MARVELLOUS ESCAPE OF MUNTZ BROS OFFICE. SPLENDID WORK OF THE BRIGADIERS. VOLUNTEERS ASSIST MAGNI FICIENTLY. THE INSURANCES. in less than a couple of hours some thousands of pounds worth of property was reduced to eahse in Wyndham. street on Thursday evening. The fire bell started its alsrum at about 7.10 p,m, and kept up for quite 15 minutes, crest. ing a sen'ation.in the town not wit nessed for many months. Its lengthy ringing was the cause, at a time when the air was still and most people were at home, resting themselves after tea. A little girl near the Post Offioe had soon flames leaping out in the direction oppo site and screamed " Fire I " and the tid. ings spread with great rapidity that Mr J Weidenbach's Big Cash Store wse ablaze. Captain C A Rundle (in com mand of the local brigade) was, with many of our most experienced...

NEGLECTED ROADS. Whilst admitting that the shire coun cils have neglected the main roads, be ing content, apparently, to stand still while the rest of world moves on, Mr Hagelthcrn, the Minister for IJoblic Works, said on Thursday that a great improvement would be made in the near future by the Country Roads Board. Had the shire councils been awake to the value of good roads to all country municipalites, the Country Roads Board -wold not have been necessary, He agreed with the view that there should be as little delay as possible in making all the main roads suitable to traffic. The chief weakness in.the control of roads by the shire councils was that attention was given to subsidiary high ways, to the neglect of the more im portant thoroughfares leading from one municipality to another. They catered for local, as against through traffic re quirements. Wherever the traveller passed through comparatively unculti vated stretches of country, lying be ta.een more or less thickly-populat...

SSHEPPARTON FREEZING " WORKS. Over the non-de-plume of " South (''own" a correspondent writes to the Tungamah " Express" : As one inter ested in the operations of the Wimmera Inland Freezing Co would you kindly allow me to make some remarks regard ing the Shepparton Freezing Works. which is coming into operation for this season's stock, The Wimmera Inland Freezing Coy's works are at Murtoa, sad in the first year alone cleared 11 per cent on its capital, Equal to 81 per head on all stock treated (lambs and sheep); and during the past two years has not only kept up the price of sheep, but has cleared something like 23 per cent on its capital. Prior to the estab lishment of these works we either had to risk the Newmarket prices or accept the humble values offered by the freezer buyers from Melbourne. The scene is changed now. We can either sell to our own company cash in the paddock or at per lb dead weight, thus obtaining every penny of value for our lambs, and in ad dition a share of...

THE "ILilUMINATION," Had a strong wind set in during the tro the results must have boon appall. ing, Happily, as it was, there was ecarcely a passing breeze, and the atmosphere was reLdered very oppres sive by the heat thrown off from the burning buildings. Those who- ap. proached across the road to the footpath had usually to beat a retreat, thus serv ing to keep a clear way for the briga diers and volunteers, without appeal to the police. So great was the illumina Lion that individual faces were easily recognisabla in that immense crowd. " It is brighter than day " was a cas4al remark; and some people who had came in later in the evening from the locality of Guthrie's bridge at the Broken River stated from that remoteness they could clearly behold the spa of human faces; and it only required a telescope for then} to be recognisable. People at Doolie, and Oosgrove climbed the hills, from where they could get a comprehensive view of the spectacle; they marked out the 'contour of the...

iT TH'E lULLESR TORSR T0.EPPTN. Grocery, Crockery, Ironmongery and Drapery Damaged by Fire and Water. The whole of these Extensive Stocks are being. overhauled at once, and on THURSDAY NEXT, 19th inst., at 9 aim. AiHUGE SALE O' ALL DAMAGED STOCK will comme?e-eand last for-Seven :D ay All Sales during the Seven Days Strictly Cash Only. 7 DAYS ONLY. 7 DAYS ONLY. 7 DAYS ONLY. THE MILLER STORES, WYNDHAM=ST., SHEPPARTON. ROWE &amp; COS Summer Sale STARTS Saturday, January 17. Corner Wyndham and High Streets, Shepparton, Cream Separator Skims Clean. and a Child can turn it If you want results rather than /cheapness in first cost you must use a MELOTTE. It costs nothing - for repairs; needs little oil, is a per fect Skimmer, easy to turn and can be kept sweet and clean without the least trouble. That over 250,000 are in daily use in English • speaking countries alone is proof of this-ask any user for further - proof. T. Robinson &amp; Co. Pty. Ltd. Spotswood, Melbourne - MAhUFACTUR...

INTERSTATE COMMISSION- ILLUMINATING. As regards legislation, the hands of the Cook Ministry are tied; but in the matter of administration it has done and can continue to do; Australia yeoman's service. The man who devotes but a fraction of his scant leisure to the study of politics, is apt to attach supreme importance to the passing of this, that, or the other measure. Yet a moment's reflection should suffice to convince him, that the running of the G.P.O., the construction and the working of great railway sys tems, the framing of tariffs with the proper valuation of imports, are purely busineEs matters. Whether tens of thousands are saved or are flung away is purely a matter of management, depends on the man at top and his heads of departments as surely as does the success of any private concern in the Commonwealth. For its appointment of three able and im partial men as interstate Commis sioners, the Cook Ministry deserves the heartiest thanks of the tax payer. 1Mr AB Paddington a...

0LYMPIA. IN THE ARENA OF SPORT. BOWLS. Shepparton bowlers to the number of eight journeyed to Wunghnu on Satur day to play the return match. They have a two-rink green, which is perfectly grassed, not a bare patch to be seen. They have no caretaker, doing all the work themselves, and they have light installed, and play at least two evenings a week. Also, alongside the green they have a croquet lawn sufficiently large for two sets of hoops, and this is also well grassed and kept in eood order. Play commenced at 1 30, and the first few ends the eame was much in favor of the home team, being 15 to 7 at the 6,h end; at the 12th end ecores were equal; and at the 20.h end Wunghou were 87 to Shepparton 35. Finally Wunghnu won by 12. The 'isitors were entertained hospitably, and it was a most pleasant game. Cheers for the respective clubs were given at the close. Results: Wuorso u- 52. Dudley, Findlay, Dockery, Evane... 25 Jelfory, H Dudley, Galt, Harris ... 27 52 SIuEPPARTON -40. Treaby, M...

,A TRIFLE ABOUT HATS. Where did you get that hat? Whore did.you get that tile ? Where did you got those Boots? At Marshall's and they're just the style. It pays to buy his Footwear, for they just do wear a while, 'Tis a tribute to 'your commonsense when you give to himnt a triali -Opposite Bheppprton "News,"

SHEP'PARTON AGRTIOUL TURAL SOCIETY. MR T. H. ROE ELEOTED PRE SIDENT. COMPLIMENTARY SPEECHES. The .annual meeting of Shepporton Agricultural Society was hold on Saturday afternoon in the lndgo room of theo. Star Theatre-this ow ing to the large attendance of mem bers. The chair was temporarily occu pied by the retiring president, Mr J M M'Nabb, and from that moment a series of complimentary sporeches followed complimentary to the retiring president, the new president, the new vice-prosi dents, as well as other prominent office bearers. The best of good spirits pro.. vailed; there was a strong ring of sincerity in all that was said; and the proceedings throughout were interest ing. At the outset, however, there was a note cf sorrow. for refererco was made to the death of a member, Mr Robert Jones, of Kialla West; and on the motion of Messrs J M M'Nabb and J' Guthrie, it was decided that a letter of sympathy be sent to the widow add family. After that the meeting ad journed for 15 miru...

SHEPPARTON WTATER TRUST SPECIAL MEETING FOR EMER. GENCY CHANNELS. A special meeting of the Shopparton Waterworks Trust was held, on Satur. day forenoon at the Shire Hall, when there were present: Come C H Donker (chairman), R Roe, W Phillips, W Pinchbeck and E Quinlan. The subject of conetrucoting tmer gency channels at Shepparton and Pine Lodge was considered, ratopayers at Congupna having guaranteed £20 to wards the work. After some discussion, it was resolved on the motion of Coms Pinchbeck.and Roe " That the Trust carry out the work and charge £2 per dam for filling." The undertaking means an extension of Don. nia's channel connecting with Pine Lodge crook at Loahy's stop. Mr Jaee Nugent (secretary) was in structed to write to the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, point ing out the urgency of the work, and asking its approval-the work to be car ried out by. administration rather than waiting for tenders to be called.

TBE INSURANCES. Mr Winm. Furphy, owner of Weiden. bach's Big Cash Store building, which had cost, with fittings, between £1500 and £1600 to erect: Insured for £1000 (building and flhtings) in the United In surance Company, of Qaeen-street, Mel bourne, focr which Mr J M'Causland is the local agent. Mr J Weidenbach: Stock (some of which had been opsned only on Thurs day last), insured for £8200. in the Aachen and Munich Company; Mel bourne office, in Qeoen-street; local agent,?Mr Woldephabh. A Miller andCo : Damages about £3000, covered by insurance. Mudtz Bros : Building and fittings insured for £220 and £30 respectively in the New Zealand Insurance Company; local agen:s, Muotz Bros.

VOLUNTEER FIREMEN. " THE LEGION THAT NEVER WAS LITED." How shall the citizens thank Lieu tenant Thoe. O'Brieon, of the Sheppar. ton Fire Brigade, the few brigadiers who had remained awey.from the annual demonstration elsewhere, and the large number of volunteers who had all so gallantly and unsparingly combated the fltmes last Thureday night, until com plete suecess rewarded their efforts ? Could they be sufticiently thanked ? The man who wetted the bags in the gutter and throw them up to those who wished to keep their heals damp. while encountering the terrific heat on Miller and Co.'s roof and verandah, was fulfilling a self-im-. posed mission worthy of all admiration; and the men who scrambled on to that roof and verandah, on to the skylight, and to other roofs, are deserving of full-. throated landation, even though tbhey in their native modesty hmay disclaim having done anything to merit praise. *The non-publica'ion cf their names is simsply due to the fact that we have not bee...

DEAL WITH LOCAL TRADE8S PEOPLE. (To the Editor of '"The Advertiser.") SIR,-I note a lot of talk about " de centralisation" lately. "Practice is better that precept" was what we were taught at school and if this is true, why do not the public bodies interested in the subject try to purchase their sup. plies locally instead of sending to Mel. boure, and even out of the State for materials that could be obtained to suit the purpose equally well and popsibly at a lower cost? If all country freights are reduced it will help the situation, but to limit the concession to certain individuals or public bodies will only tend to hit the loeal traders harder than before. At any rate, that is my humble opinion, and I hope to see this subject taken up by more competent hands-Yours, etc., CER?IAL.